For the second straight begin, Grayson Rodriguez regarded like a significant league-caliber starter the primary time via the order earlier than struggling the second time via.
Rodriguez, the Orioles’ prime pitching prospect and a candidate for the beginning rotation, allowed a two-run homer within the third inning after which unraveled within the fourth in a Grapefruit League sport in opposition to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. The begin was much like his earlier outing, additionally in opposition to Boston, wherein the 23-year-old retired 9 of the primary 10 batters with six strikeouts earlier than permitting 5 straight to achieve base.
“Obviously, I don’t enjoy them,” Rodriguez stated of the powerful outings. “But that’s been the key. It’s all learning experience, and for it to happen in spring training is better than during the regular season.”
In the fourth inning, Rodriguez walked the leadoff batter after which received a comebacker that ought to have been a double play. But Rodriguez delivered a brief throw to the bag that shortstop Jorge Mateo couldn’t corral. Rodriguez induced a double play on the subsequent batter, however his error proved pricey. He threw a wild pitch to permit a run, issued his second stroll of the body and allowed an RBI double earlier than getting pulled.
“The first two innings he was really sharp,” supervisor Brandon Hyde stated. “We saw overpowering stuff.”
“I think the fourth inning he tired a little bit,” Hyde added. “You saw the changeup go to the backstop and some misses there. It looked like it was fatigue in that fourth inning.”
Rodriguez ended the day permitting six hits and 5 runs (two earned) in 3 2/3 innings with two walks and three strikeouts. Over his previous two begins, Rodriguez has given up 10 hits and 9 runs (six earned) in 6 2/3 innings.
“For me, he had so many positives in his first couple innings, and then to have that rough inning is probably not a bad thing for him,” stated James McCann, who caught Rodriguez on Saturday. “He can look back at the positives and understand what he did well and then take from the rough inning what he needs to be able to make the adjustment and not let that happen in a game that matters.”
Rodriguez struggled most on Saturday with the highest three batters in Boston’s lineup — starters Christian Arroyo, Rafael Devers and Adam Duvall.
“We kind of had a plan, kind of reading their swings from the first time through,” Rodriguez stated. “Still, we missed some pitches and the major league guys hit ’em. That’s just kind of the takeaway from it.”
Orioles govt vice chairman and normal supervisor Mike Elias has repeatedly stated he desires Rodriguez to interrupt camp within the rotation. Hyde reiterated that sentiment Saturday morning, saying the membership is giving him “every opportunity” to be within the rotation on opening day.
“I’m not worried,” Hyde stated about whether or not Rodriguez is feeling stress to make the staff. “I think it’s very normal for a young player to feel that way, but he’s got great stuff. He’s going to be a really good starter in this league for a long time. I just want to see him kind of relax and do well these last couple starts.”
McCann stated it’s “above my pay grade” to find out whether or not the 6-foot-5 right-hander ought to open the season within the massive leagues.
“But stuff-wise,” he stated, “no doubt he’s ready.”
Also within the Orioles’ 9-6 loss, first baseman Ryan O’Hearn returned after lacking every week with a knee damage and went 0-for-2. Pitcher Austin Voth, considered one of 9 remaining pitchers vying for a spot within the Orioles’ opening day rotation, labored the ultimate three innings, permitting 5 hits and 4 runs (one earned) with no walks and 6 strikeouts.
Colton Cowser, the organizations’ prime outfield prospect, adopted up his 476-foot dwelling run Friday with an RBI single and a stroll in his two plate appearances off the bench. Heston Kjerstad saved up his scorching camp with an RBI double.
Cameron’s case
One of the a number of competitions in camp is for the outfield spots behind starters Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander.
Kyle Stowers and Ryan McKenna may need inside monitor, with the previous posting a .724 OPS in 34 video games down the stretch final yr and the latter serving within the pinch-runner/defensive alternative function.
But Daz Cameron made his case for a kind of spots this week together with his bat, flashing the facility that when made him thought-about for the No. 1 total choose within the 2015 draft. The 26-year-old opened his week Monday with an RBI double in opposition to the Detroit Tigers and ended it Friday with a solo dwelling run in opposition to the Minnesota Twins. His homer — hit 101.7 mph and 386 ft — was sandwiched between blasts from Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser for back-to-back-to-back dwelling runs.
“My swing is flourishing, and the more time goes on my swing will keep taking care of itself,” Cameron stated. “I’m glad to kind of see some results early.”
However, his most spectacular efficiency maybe got here on one of many Orioles’ again fields Thursday. Cameron was considered one of a number of batters going through DL Hall within the pitching prospect’s simulated sport and was the one one to hit the ball exhausting. In his three at-bats in opposition to Hall, Cameron hit a floor ball within the gap, a fly ball off the left discipline fence and a frozen rope to right-center discipline.
“Daz continues to get better as he’s getting more at-bats,” Hyde stated. “He’s taking better swings. He’s been swinging the bat well the last week or so.”
Cameron, who was drafted thirty seventh total in 2015 by Houston when Elias was with the Astros, appeared in 73 video games with 9 stolen bases and a .201 batting common with the Tigers the previous three seasons.
“The ability to run, be able to be athletic and to cover three spots in the outfield is going to be big,” Hyde stated.
Bautista nearing full power
Closer Félix Bautista cleared a big milestone Friday — one that actually solely applies to him and a couple of dozen different massive league pitchers.
In his second outing this spring, Bautista touched 100 mph on the penultimate pitch of his inning. His 100.1 mph fastball blew previous Twins hitter Matt Wallner, and he then slammed on the brakes with an 89.8 mph splitter for the strikeout.
“I feel like I’m starting to get back into the rhythm, little by little,” Bautista stated via staff interpreter Brandon Quinones. “I feel like I’m slowly but surely working my way up to be at that same level like I was during the season.”
“I feel really confident with how things have been going,” he added.
Hyde was inspired each by how Bautista regarded in his second spring inning and the way his physique responded. Bautista had a gradual begin to camp after ending final season with a sprained left knee and going via a shoulder-strengthening program this winter.
“Love where he is right now,” Hyde stated.
Hyde stated Bautista will “ideally” pitch in three or 4 extra video games earlier than spring coaching ends March 27.
Grapefruit League
Pirates at Orioles (SS)
Orioles (SS) at Yankees
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
